Rent-to-own community could come to Berlin

Mar. 21, 2014

Written by

Staff Writer

BERLIN — Berlin planning officials got their first look at a unique rent-to-own community proposed off Flower Street with a presentation from developers last week.

Osprey Property Co. presented plans for Cannery Village, a 44-unit workforce housing development on 25 acres, to the Berlin Planning Commission during a work session.

Andrew Hanson, vice president of Osprey Property, said he wanted to get an idea of what the commission thought of the project — which was previously approved in 2008 — before seeking preliminary site plan approval for it.

He said what made the development unusual was the fact that it was designed as a rent-to-own community. Renters, after 15 years, would have the option to buy the home they’d been living in.

Hanson said the $14 million project, to be done in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, would entail the construction of 44 homes and a community building.

The homes would be rented to people with average annual household incomes between $25,000 and $45,000. Rent for the units, which would include two- and four-bedroom homes, would range from $350 to $950.

Hanson said that those interested in renting would have to apply and undergo a criminal and credit check by the property management company.

“This is not subsidized housing,” he said. “This is not Section 8.”

He explained that the range in rents and home size would open the community to a variety of people.

“Our goal is to be an asset to the community,” he said. “To serve a need. This is going to serve a whole gamut of different folks.”

Hanson said the project would create 49 short-term jobs and would pump $3 million into the local economy during construction.

Planning commission members questioned the width of the street that was proposed in the development, wondering whether it was too wide.

Commission members suggested that Osprey Property consider façade materials other than the stone that was proposed for some of the homes.

They also pointed out that the homes, which do not feature garages, lacked outdoor storage space.

Commission member Ron Cascio suggested the company look into storage sheds or exterior closets.